IMPORTING AND PEOCURING PLANTS. 23 



Trussing up with straw, to us any thing but an 

 attractive mode of winter protection, or covering 

 with close boxes, are to be avoided. 



Any protection, however, wliicli will break the 

 force of the wind, and partially shield from the rays 

 of the sun, may be advantageously employed. 



The time for covering Ehododendrons is just 

 before the ground freezes up in the autumn, and the 

 protection should be removed as soon as the frost 

 leaves the ground in the spring. We generally 

 cover the beds the last week in November, and 

 remove the covering the first week in- April. 



In considering this question of winter protection, 

 it must be borne in mind that our experience has 

 been in the latitude of Boston, and near the sea 

 coast. 



Further south and in the interior, winter protec- 

 tion may be entirely dispensed with : in this matter 

 experience is the best teacher. 



Every year we are giving less protection as plants 

 become acclimated and established ; and ultimately 

 may be able to dispense with it altogether for most 

 varieties. 



IMPORTING AND PROCURING PLANTS. 



Although the Rhododendron is so well adapted for 

 general planting, a large collection would be difficult 

 to obtain in this country. The largest sale stock, to 

 our knowledge, is that of Messrs. Parsons & Co., of 

 Flushing, Long, Island, who are now devoting a large 

 portion of their extensive grounds to the raising of 

 Rhododendrons. 



